The sister of Brittany Clark’s late best friend has shared an emotional tribute amid a wave of online criticism directed at the alligator attack victim. Ashley Borrego, whose sister Sidney Castillo died in a car accident in 2015, wrote on Facebook about Clark, who was killed by an alligator on June 28 while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in Central Florida.
"Brittany was my sister Sidney’s best friend and was such [an] amazing human," Borrego commented on a post by Clark’s aunt. "She often checked in with me and sent me memories of my sister, watching her grow up from afar reminded me of Sidney often, I know she is going to be missed by so many people, but my sister is up there with open arms and a big smile waiting for her!"
Clark, 31, who was living in Orlando at the time of her death, had frequently posted tributes to Castillo on her own Facebook page. In a May 21 post, Clark shared a framed photo of herself and Castillo, writing, "Happy heavenly birthday to my best friend." She also posted on August 20, 2018, "Really missing you this morning. Keep me on this beautiful path my dear."
Clark's boyfriend, Chance Allison, and roommate, Jayden Hernandez, witnessed the attack and attempted to save her. A wildlife expert suggested Clark had taken appropriate precautions, and Allison refuted rumors that the group had been warned against entering the river. However, some online commentators directed blame at Clark for swimming in a river known to inhabit alligators. "Sorry, but it’s hard for me to feel any compassion for Brittany Clark," one user commented on TikTok. "I do feel bad for the gators."
Other Florida residents defended Clark, recounting their own experiences swimming in the same river. "This picture was taken in the SAME spot on the Econ, the Econ we all grew up swimming in every weekend, making the best memories," shared Courtney Marie from Jacksonville, alongside a photo of herself at the river. "All of these insensitive comments I’ve been reading are absolutely gut wrenching in the fact that this beautiful girl lost her life in which it could have been any of us multiple times."
Borrego had not immediately responded to requests for comment.